NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Elmhurst University women's basketball team dropped a CCIW contest at North Central College falling 72-50.

The Bluejays struggled offensively scoring only three points in the first quarter. Elmhurst (2-15) trailed 42-20 heading into halftime.
 
Elmhurst and North Central (7-10) both scored 30 points in the second-half, but the deficit from the first half was too much for the Bluejays to overcome. 

North Central finished the contest with three players in double-figures. Elle Sutter posted a career-high 21 points and grabbed four rebounds, while teammate IxChel Leeuwenburgh chipped in 15 points and nine boards. Rounding out the double-figure scorers for the Cardinals was Allison Pearson who added 14 points in the victory.

The Bluejays were led by Marissa Urso who scored 13 points and grabbed two rebounds. Taylor Harazin chipped in 11 points in the loss.

The Cardinals took advantage of the Bluejays' 21 turnovers, by scoring 28 of their 72 points off of lost or stolen balls. The Cardinals also dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Bluejays 44-31. The Cardinals turned 18 offensive rebounds in 20 second-chance points.

North Central outshot Elmhurst 45.5 percent (30-of-66) to 40 percent (18-of-45) from the field.  The Bluejays were only able to connect on 16 percent (2-of-12) from behind the arc compared to the Cardinals 29.4 percent (5-of-17).

Elmhurst topped North Central in free throw percentage shooting 57.1 percent (12-of-21) to 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from the foul line.

The Bluejays travel to Bloomington to take on the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans on Wednesday, January 26.